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There was once a tree

By: Kenji


Cloud-Capped Star


Yumurta/Egg


Mango (Ouedraogo)


-

I saw not two trees become foe.
I saw not a willow,
Sell its shade to the earth.
Benevolently it shares,
The elm its branch to the raven.
Wherever there is a leaf,
My Passion blossoms.

(Sohrab Sehperi)

~~
“At the end of the Fourth Month and the beginning of the Fifth the orange trees have dark green leaves and are covered with brilliant white flowers.In the early morning, when they have been sprinkled with rain, one feels that nothing in the world can match their charm; and if one is fortunate enough to see the fruit itself, standing out like golden spheres among the flowers, it looks asbeautiful as the most magnificent of sights, the cherry blossoms damp with morning dew. But i need say no more: so much has been written about the beauty of the orange trees in the many poems that link them with the hototogisu
…
I cannot speak of the paulownia as i do of the other trees; for this is where that grandiose and famous bird of China makes its nest, and the idea fills me with awe. Besides, it is this tree that provides the wood for the zithers from which come so many delightful sounds. how can i have used such a commonplace word as “delightful”? The pawlonia is not only delightful: it is magnificent"
(Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon)

I had intended to pass on here the tale of Kenju’s Wood, by Miyazawa Kenji, but it is too long!

And my thoughts are also with little Opal Whiteley of Oregon who so loved the trees and her friends the animals.

In May the pair of handkerchief trees in the local wood where our dogs love to roam will come into bloom!


Hasan: Squirrels on a Plane Tree

 

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DirtyBee

8Feb12

<3 maybe "Aprili" (Otar Iosseliani) because of strong symbolical meaning of tree there...

  • Picture of Kenji

    Kenji

    8Feb12

    Now that's a film hidden away, that i like- good idea!

  • Picture of DirtyBee

    DirtyBee

    23Feb12

    http://mubi.com/films/the-birch-tree l think this one is perfect for your list

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hibiscus kirtan

4Dec11

ah god, how can I ignore this list when you put sohrab sepehri up there?

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JHB

19Jul11

The beginning of “Non, ou a vã glória de mandar” is a great add to this beautiful list. A very long shot of a tree, a metaphor of Portugal.

Kenji likes this

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    Kenji

    19Jul11

    Ah yes, it is a memorable opening. I often thought of the tree and also the waterway when walking with the dogs in Wales.

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Alex Fisher

17Apr11

"The Tree" by Julie Bertuccelli

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